By Proxy

Garrett, Randall, 1927-1987Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.3

Word count: 80K words
Chapters: 9

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.By Proxy by Randall GarrettAuthor: Garrett, Randall, 1927-1987,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Feb 27, 2008

Editor's review

Randall Garrett was a prolific American writer in science fiction and fantasy; this book is one of his public-domain short works, classified under American and Canadian literature. The story is short and carries a distinct genre-fiction appeal, making it a good entry point for getting a sense of mid-twentieth-century English-language science fiction short stories. Garrett's work is often marked by brisk pacing and clever premises, and this piece likewise can be read in a short time without the commitment of a full-length book. For readers who want to sample public-domain science fiction texts or are curious about the style of early genre magazines, this small book offers a low-threshold sample. It should be noted that, as an electronic text released by Project Gutenberg, it has no modern introduction or annotations; it is better suited to a light genre reading experience than to systematic research.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in early English-language science fiction short stories
Science fiction fans who want to practice reading English with short pieces
People who need light reading for commutes or fragmented time
Readers collecting public-domain genre fiction

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer long-form science fiction and grand worldbuilding
Readers expecting modern science fiction writing techniques
Beginners who need detailed annotations and introductions

Reading tips

Read the story through in one go first, then go back to the setup and the foreshadowing at the twists.
Read it alongside other public-domain short stories by the same author for comparison and to get a feel for his style.
Don't stop at old-fashioned expressions; grasp the plot first and look up words afterward.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a novel or a short story?

The materials indicate that this is a public-domain short work by Randall Garrett, not long, and suitable for reading in one sitting or over two or three sessions. It is not part of a long series and does not depend on prior background; readers can go straight into the story.

Will it be hard to read without an introduction or annotations?

Gutenberg editions usually provide only the electronic text, without a modern introduction. The story itself is mainly driven by genre interest and is not hard to understand; if you encounter older expressions or science fiction concepts, an online dictionary or background on the author can help without affecting the overall reading.

Is it good for understanding Garrett's writing style?

As a short sample, it lets readers quickly get a sense of Garrett's pacing and clever premises in genre fiction. But a single piece cannot sum up his whole style; for a fuller picture, read a few more of his public-domain short stories for comparison.

Comments

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About the author

Garrett, Randall, 1927-1987 Author

Randall Garrett (1927-1987) was an American science fiction writer active in the mid-twentieth century. Public information about his life is limited, and details such as his exact birth and death dates and nationality still require further verification. The library holds 43 of his works, including The Highest Treason, Dead Giveaway, The Foreign Hand Tie, Thin Edge, The Asses of Balaam, Anything You Can Do!, That Sweet Little Old Lady, and The Bramble Bush. Judging from these titles, his output consists mainly of short stories and novellas, often built around tricks, misunderstandings, and reversals. He was skilled at creating suspense within a limited space, advancing plots through witty dialogue and a brisk pace, and frequently ending with an unexpected twist. His titles often carry a playful, ironic tone, showing a confident command of science fiction conventions and a humorous attitude toward them. Although public information is limited, these works remain useful samples for studying mid-twentieth-century English-language science fiction short fiction.